Rolls-Royce Celebrates 100 Years of Phantom by Driving One Into a Pool

Highlighting its flagship model’s deep ties to music and pop culture, Rolls-Royce has recreated one of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s most enduring myths to celebrate the Phantom’s centenary. 

Rolls Royce Phantom in pool

Image: Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce has celebrated the Phantom’s 100-year anniversary by putting one in a swimming pool. Yes, you read that right – the British luxury marque actually put an example of its flagship model into a swimming pool. The reason? Well, to recreate one of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s most endearing legends and pay homage to this car’s association with the music industry.

The company also highlighted the prominent figures who have owned Phantoms over the years. Iconic musicians who have owned Rolls-Royce Phantoms include Elton John, John Lennon, Duke Ellington, Édith Piaf, Liberace, and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll himself, Elvis Presley. These artists, among many others, saw the Phantom as a symbol of success and a canvas for self-expression, with several of them creating unique Phantom models, such as Lennon’s psychedelic yellow 1964 Phantom V, Liberace’s 1961 Phantom V, which was covered in tiny mirrors, and Elvis’ Phantom that was fitted with a microphone. 

Rolls-Royce also looked back at memorable stories from music icons who have owned a Phantom. However, it’s the legend of The Who drummer Keith Moon that drove his Phantom into a swimming pool that arguably resonates the most. Although it is debated whether Moon actually drove a Phantom into a swimming pool on his 21st birthday, it has nonetheless left a lasting mark on the British automaker.

So, to mark the Phantom’s centenary, Rolls-Royce has recreated this legend by submerging a retired Phantom Extended body shell in Tinside Lido, Plymouth. Noteworthy, the choice of location also ties back to John Lennon, as the Beatles was photographed at the same location in 1967 during their Magical Mystery Tour.

However, the Phantom’s influence extends beyond the Rock ‘n’ Roll genre. The Phantom has become the most “name-checked” vehicle in hip-hop and rap lyrics, and has starred in music videos from Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Lil Wayne, to name but a few.

As the Phantom enters its second century, Rolls-Royce celebrates not just its engineering and craftsmanship, but its role as a lasting cultural icon in music, symbolising individuality, aspiration and creativity.

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The post Rolls-Royce Celebrates 100 Years of Phantom by Driving One Into a Pool appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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